Each October, advocates, survivors, and supporters recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) so people know that they’re not alone, support is available, and intimate partner violence is preventable.
This DVAM, the Action Alliance has partnered with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and other state and territorial coalitions across the nation in having a coordinated national conversation about domestic violence and how we can all contribute to changing the narrative on this overshadowed, but fundamental topic.
Across the country, intimate partner violence is more prevalent than most realize: one in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes. Among LGBTQ people, the rates of domestic violence are comparable or higher. In one study, more than half of transgender and non-binary respondents experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual identity or orientation, or socio-economic status, can become a victim of domestic violence. This year’s campaign theme, #Every1KnowsSome1, strives to highlight how common domestic violence is and that it is more than physical violence.
In 2020, 70,252 survivors in Virginia received help from hotline advocates across the state and 5,762 adults and children received 216,978 nights of emergency shelter. The COVID-19 pandemic’s stay-at-home orders and widespread closures left many survivors of violence isolated or trapped, meaning that discreet and stealth methods for accessing crisis services became vital. Contacts via text/chat increased by 223%, for example.
During the pandemic, advocates at more than 70 local agencies across Virginia had to quickly adapt to meet different or increased needs around mental health, housing, employment, and healthcare. All this while navigating unique challenges, including court closures, funding losses, and shelter-in-place orders. Thank you to all the advocates supporting survivors!
This year, Governor Ralph Northam joins the Action Alliance in recognizing DVAM with the issuance of a bilingual proclamation, in English and Spanish, which are shared below.
Free and confidential help is available 24/7 for individuals experiencing domestic violence. Those seeking help may contact the Virginia Statewide Hotline by phone at 1-800-838-8238, via text at 804-793-9999, or chat at https://www.vadata.org/chat/. The chat feature works best on a computer or tablet.
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